Dating Your Family – My Intentional Plan for Family Connection

I’m not a relationship expert, but I am passionate about setting intentional goals to help achieve your life’s purpose. Over the years, I’ve read hundreds of leadership and relationship books, and while I’m always learning, I wanted to share something that has worked for me. Maybe it can help you too.

In life, we talk a lot about the importance of relationships, but how often do we have an intentional plan to sustain and grow them? After my relationship with God, I’ve prioritized nurturing my relationships with my wife and kids. And what I’ve found is that setting intentional time with the people I cherish most has made all the difference.

Every Thursday night, my wife and I have a standing date night. We go to a restaurant, take a long walk, and just talk. It’s become one of our favorite parts of the week, and this intentional time has been key in growing our marriage of over 21 years—especially as we celebrate our anniversary this week.

For my kids, I’ve started monthly “dad dates.” They pick the restaurant and the topic of conversation, and I try to be more of a friend and coach than a parent. These dad dates have been a great way to deepen our connection and help my kids achieve their goals. I’ve even encouraged my older kids to take their younger siblings on “sibling dates” once a month. Seeing their relationships strengthen has been a joy.

This isn’t rocket science. If you’re intentional about building a loving, trusting relationship, it’s possible. Make the plan, put it on the calendar, and stick to it. You might be surprised by the results.